The buzz around their quiet offseason continues to swirl as the Atlanta Braves gear up for Spring Training in less than a month.
It’s been a calculated, patient winter for the Braves, but some fresh speculation might give fans something to chew on.
Could All-Star outfielder Anthony Santander be the late off-season splash Atlanta needs? MLB Insider Jon Heyman seems to think so.
Santander Fits the Braves Per Insider
In a recent Bleacher Report appearance, Heyman floated the idea of Santander landing with the Braves. To be clear, this isn’t grounded in active talks or insider intel from the Braves front office.
Instead, Heyman is speculating based on the team’s needs and Santander’s fit. “Santander would fit the Braves,” Heyman said.
“I don’t know if they’re going to go there in terms of that kind of spending. But that would be a great fit.” And honestly, he might be onto something.
Anthony Santander: A Powerful Option for Atlanta’s Outfield
The Braves’ need for an outfielder has been a hot topic all offseason. Santander’s power numbers could make him an attractive option with their roster missing a reliable bat in the corner outfield spot.
Santander put up some eye-popping stats last season: 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, and 71 extra-base hits. His on-base percentage (.308) and batting average (.235) leave room for improvement, but let’s not overlook the raw power he brings to the plate.
Money Talks: Can the Braves Make It Work?
From a defensive perspective, Santander has primarily played right field but has experience in left, giving Atlanta some flexibility. Still, the real question boils down to money—and willingness to spend it.
The Braves have made some financial moves this offseason. They have been restructuring contracts and walking away from deals that didn’t pan out (remember Jeff Hoffman’s failed physical). They’ve been active, just not flashy at all.
The idea of Santander on a shorter-term, high-average-annual-value deal, as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal suggested, could be exactly the kind of creative solution that works for a team hesitant to cross the luxury tax threshold.
A Methodical Offseason: Can Santander Be the Right Move?
It’s worth noting, though, that Rosenthal has hinted the Braves might be prioritizing depth rather than a marquee outfielder. That doesn’t rule out Santander entirely, but it does suggest Atlanta’s front office isn’t laser-focused on big-name acquisitions right now.
As frustrating as that may be for fans hungry for a bold move, it’s consistent with the Braves’ methodical approach this winter. And hey, they’ve tried. They went after shortstop Will Adames and starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo and nearly signed Hoffman.
These were all smart, calculated attempts that didn’t break their way. If he’s open to a creative contract, maybe Santander could be the move that finally sticks.
It wouldn’t be their Plan A, but it just might be the right Plan B. Time will tell if this quiet offseason ends with a bang or a whisper.
